It's Pentecost and that means a great time to celebrate. It also means the end of Eastertide. Tune in for a look at the Holy Spirit and why you should know more about Him. A farewell episode for season 2!

Have you ever found it hard to be generous? If yes - than this episode is for you. In this episode, Lisa shares about the recent opportunities she had to be generous and how surprisingly hard it was. And yet, God is an incredibly generous. The whole gospel is about a free gift from a loving and abundant God. So why is it so hard for us to be generous? Take a listen and join in.

Feeling low energy around this time of year? You are not alone - me too! Today we are talking about how to celebrate Jesus and Easter when we don't feel like we have the energy too. Give a listen to find out how you can still celebrate Jesus even if you aren't feeling up to it. And I'll sneak in a beautiful quote from Gerard Manley Hopkins for good measure.

It's week 2 of Eastertide and we're talking about the battles for our minds when it comes to celebrating and focusing on Jesus. I spend WAY too much of my time focusing on political, cultural, or personal issues and not near enough time focusing on the New Kingdom Jesus brought. But this week, we are just going to try and lay aside our usual topics that we brew over and focus on the good news that Jesus is alive and moving and loving and redeeming the world.

I'm so glad you are here to join me as we continue through Eastertide!

Drop me a review, give the podcast a follow and head to lisanikkel.substack.com for newsletters, poetry, art, thoughts about Eastertide and beyond.

Welcome back for our second annual celebration of Eastertide! I'm so glad to have you back here. We are going to spend the next days practising the serious work of joy and celebration. It is not something I grew up celebrating but I have found it to me such a meaningful experience that we are going to do it again!

Join me for the next 50 days as we set our minds and hearts on Jesus and celebrate all that happened in his life, death, and resurrection!

To be a parent is to know weariness.  We have all felt weary either from kids or just from regular life.  Parenting feels like hard work because it is hard work.  So, how do we keep going when we feel so worn out?  Today - I am sharing some of my own story and how God helped me keep going when I didn't think I could.  

The Bible is a book where a toddler can wade and an elephant can swim.  There can be A LOT to talk about. Where do we start?  This episode lays out a 10 week plan you can use with your kids to introduce them to the great story of God.  It will help you get kicked off in your journey with your kids. 

Here are the top events you should cover with your kids to start to help the understand how the Bible fits together and how God is the great promise keeper. Over and over again through the Bible we see God make covenants with individuals and nations. And He is faithful to these promises. 

This is the plan:

1. Creation, fall, and God's promise

2. God's covenant with Noah  (and the story of Noah)

3. God's covenant with Abraham

4. Exodus: Freedom from Egypt and the giving of The Law and God's covenant with the Israelites

5. The Kings and the need for a Good King with an eternal kingdom

6. Prophets and the aching need for Jesus

7. The Angel appears to Zechariah and Mary

8. The Angels appear to the Shepherds

9. Jesus is born

10. The Wise Men and their journey

And just like that you will be into the New Year!  Hope this helps.  Send any questions to [email protected] or message me on instagram or facebook @besidequietwaters 

The bible is an integral part of the Christian life but many of us freeze up when we're faced with talking about it ourselves. We all carry a lot of baggage with the bible and the church in our lives and we don't want to pass that on to our kids.  Many of us don't know where to start or feel unqualified to walk through the bible with our kids.  I have one thing to say - don't worry!  God wants to be known by you and your kids and he will help you learn about the bible so you can teach it to your kids. 

This episode I give you two easy ways to start reading the bible with your kids and a whole bunch of resources to help you become a student of the bible.  I hope this episode of Beside Quiet Waters Podcast helps to start you off on the adventure of sharing the bible with your kids!  

For more content you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook at @besidequietwaters or sign up for my newsletter at www.besidequietwaters.net

Resources from this episode (and one or two that I meant to mention!)

Books: 

How To Read The Bible For All Its Worth - Gordon Fee

Laugh and Grow Bible For Kids - Phil Vischer

Me, Myself, and Bob - Phil Vischer

N.T. Wright For Everyone - N.T. Wright

Podcasts: 

The Bible Project - Tim Mackie and Jon Collins

Videos:

What's In The Bible - Phil Vischer

The Bible Project - Youtube

Preachers:

Tim Keller, Darrell Johnson, John Mark Comer, David Short (at St.John's Vancouver), Will Willimon

Godly Play Peg Doll Resource:

Casey's Wood Products: https://caseyswood.com/shoppingcart/zen-cart/

With all the things we could say about God, it's sometimes hard to know where to start.  This episode I have a suggestion for you of a good starting place. It is not the only place but it is a good starting point.  I have found it a helpful way in my own life and the life of my kids to frame the entire biblical story. It's a theme you can track through every single story of the bible.  Any guesses?  Take a listen! 

Episode Notes:  The Big Picture Bible - David Helm

*there are cheaper options out there but it's always nice to share something that isn't one of the biggest book sellers. 

How do we disciple our kids?  By continuing to grow ourselves.  Staying engaged on our own journey with Jesus - emotionally, mentally, and spiritually is the best thing we can do for our family. Becoming healed people will make us better parents.  So join me on this episode where we talk about how to keep growing in the crazy season of newborns, toddlers, and kids!